The presidents of El Corte Inglés, Isidoro Álvarez, and Sabadell Bank, Josep Oliu, were rushed to hospital after suffering health scares on the same day that Santander Group president Emilio Botín died of a heart attack.

An El Corte Inglés spokesperson announced on Wednesday that 79-year-old Alvarez had been taken to Puerta de Hierro de Majadahonga University hospital in Madrid after suffering respiratory problems.